For a girl: scoop-necked sleeveless dress of violet silk with a threaded écru stripe in the weave; écru coloured yak lace trim; probably UK, 1870-1879 Child's dress of violet silk with a threaded écru stripe in the weave, and lined throughout with white cotton twill. The bodice is scoop necked and sleeveless, with the neck and armholes bound with purple silk, and is trimmed with an undulating line of looped violet ribbon and écru yak lace at the front (producing the effect of a yoke) which extends over the shoulders to the waist at the back. The flared skirt is lightly pleated to the waist, which is piped in purple silk, and has a concealed pocket at the right hand side. An apron basque, trimmed with looped violet silk and écru yak lace, falls from the waist at back and front; and the hem is finished with a black velvet binding, and violet silk kilting edged with black velvet ribbon at top and bottom. The garment has a decorative vertical row of seven buttons bound in purple brocade at the front, but fastens at the back of the bodice with a combination of hooks, holes, and stitched loops. During the 19th century the lace industry in the UK employed a considerable number of children and young girls. They usually worked from home, and their finished work was bought by dealers (less the cost of any patterns and thread supplied). While working from home would give a more pleasant environment than, say, a factory, the lace workers were very much dependent on the dealers to pay a fair price, and would often work many hours a day to make enough money. There were other health issues, too: Major J G Burns reported to the Children's Employment Commission 1842 "Mr Collier, surgeon of Towcester, gave me a paper on the health of lace-makers…he also told me that much injury ensues to young girls from a habit they have of wearing a strong wooden busk in their stays [a wooden bar to stiffen the front of their corsets] to support them when stooping over their lace pillows; this being worn when young and the bones soft acts very injuriously on the sternum [breastbone] and ribs."